"It's intimidating staring down the barrel of a pistol", Assistant Manager Taz Jerkins takes a break after speaking with Police.

Armed Robbery at Family Dollar, ONALASKA, September 22, 2010 - At 8:50 pm on September 22, 2010 Assistant Manager Tammy "Taz" Jerkins was prepping to close the Family Dollar Store down located off of US-190 West in Onalaska at the usual time of 9 pm. Then it happened; "He came walking in the front door and straight to my register..." Taz said, "He pulled out a pistol and demanded all the money in the register", she continued; "My large bills were concealed in a secure place so all he got was 5s and 10s. He got away with around $100", she said. "It's intimidating staring down the barrel of pistol...I cooperated" she said. According to Taz, she gave him the money and he left, "I could tell he was nervous" she said. Jerkins described the robber as a white male, medium build, and around 6 ft. tall. Jerkins also stated that the robber was wearing a dark jacket with a hoodie attached, "...he had the hoodie pulled over his head and a blue bandana covering the lower half of his face", she said.

Police cars parked outside the Onalaska Family Dollar following an armed robbery on September 22, 2010.

Local Law Enforcement Responds...Onalaska Police Chief Ron Gilbert and all available O.P.D. units responded to the robbery along with Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and DPS Trooper Kevin Burman. According to Chief Gilbert, the robbery suspect is believed to have escaped into the nearby subdivision of Canyon Park located off of FM-356. Multiple units went into the subdivision looking for the suspect. Chief Gilbert established a checkpoint at the entrance of Canyon Park and was checking every vehicle that left the subdivision. Gilbert stated to PolkCountyToday.com that they also had dogs trying to track down a possible suspect. Further, Gilbert said that based on the description of the gun, the robbery may be connected to a burglary that occurred about 2 weeks ago in Onalaska off of FM-3186 where a gun was stolen matching the description of the one used in the Family Dollar robbery.

Officer Jacob Chapman with the Onalaska P.D. interviews Taz Jerkins and another employee of Family Dollar in Onalaska following the armed robbery.

Robber Still at Large...In spite of immediate action, no suspect has yet been apprehended. Forensic evidence is being gathered and an investigation is underway as Police continue to search for a suspect. "We'll not rest until we catch this robber" Chief Gilbert stated.

Onalaska Police Chief Ron Gilbert established a checkpoint at the entrance to Canyon Park Subdivision in Onalaska.

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